The internet is a fantastic feat of human achievement. However, it has the potential to damage your child’s psyche permanently. Studies have shown that children exposed to porn from a very young age can address developmental issues later in life. Children as young as eight or nine often visit porn sites in this modern age. It has left parents looking for ways to block porn sites and other adult content completely.
The internet is all-pervasive in modern life, so if you want to block pornsites completely, you must secure all your children’s devices, whether PCs, laptops, tablets, Macs, Android phones or iPhones. There are many ways to do this for each device; some are easier than others. This article will guide you through how to block porn website. We will also review the effectiveness of these methods of blocking pornsites.
Turn on Google SafeSearch to Block Porn Sites
Blocking porn sites from Google search is possible if you enable Safe Search settings. When switched on, Safe Mode will block adult websites effectively. Enabling parental control settings in your browser can prove helpful in blocking porn websites as well.
PC and Mac: How to Enable SafeSearch in Google
- Head to Google and search for something.
- On the search results page, find “Settings.”
- Select “Search Settings.”
- Put a checkmark next to “Turn on SafeSearch.”
- Click on Lock SafeSearch.
- Sign in with your Google account and confirm.
Once you have enabled this feature, you can lock it into the “Strict” mode using your Google account. That means children cannot change the settings without their Google account.
Mobile Devices: How to Enable Safe Mode
Google’s safe mode is designed to keep porn from appearing in search results. If your child types the URL of porn sites directly, it will not be blocked. Your child can quickly get around this by using a different browser or merely choosing a different search engine, such as Bing or Yahoo.
iOS Google Mobile App
1. Open the Google App.
2. At the bottom right, tap “More.”
3. Tap “Settings.”
4. Select “General.”
5. Select “Search Settings.”
6. Switch on “Filter explicit results.”
7. Tap “Save.”
Android Google Mobile App
How to block pornography via Google on Android? The Google Android mobile app works pretty much the same way as the iOS version above. The only difference lies in the interface. All you need to do is to open the Google App → tap “More“→ select “Settings” → switch on “SafeSearch Filter.”
Keep Your Web Clean Using DNS Services
One easy way to block porn sites on most devices is by changing your DNS (Domain Name System). A DNS server translates words into numbers that computers can read. It links your device to the rest of the internet. You can filter out adult content by selecting a family-friendly DNS instead of your standard DNS.
IP Addresses of Popular Clean DNS Providers
If you want to use a family-friendly DNS server, you only need to replace your DNS with one of these IPs.
The Clean Browsing Family-Level DNS IP
- 185.228.168.168
- 185.228.169.168
The Clean Browsing Family-Level DNS will block adult, pornographic, or explicit websites. It will also block VPNs or proxy domains. Reddit, Imgur, and other mixed content sites are also blocked. Commonly used sites such as Google, Bing, and YouTube are automatically set to Safe Mode.
The Clean Browsing Adult-Level DNS IP
- 185.228.168.10
- 185.228.169.11
The Clean Browsing Adult-level DNS is a more ‘liberal’ configuration. It will block explicit, adult, or porn sites. However, sites like Reddit or Imgur are not blocked. Google and Bing are still set to Safe Mode, while YouTube is not restricted. Speaking of which, you can block particular YouTube channels instead.
The OpenDNS Family Shield DNS IP
- 208.67.222.123
- 208.67.220.123
The OpenDNS Family Shield DNS will block adult content, including “Pornography,” “Tasteless,” and “Sexuality.” It will also block VPNs and proxy servers. It can also block phishing websites and certain types of malware.
Wi-Fi: How to Block Porn on Your Wireless Router
Most of your family’s internet will probably come from Wi-Fi. You, as an adult and parent, are responsible for everything that occurs on your network, no matter who is using it. Learning how to block porn on router will keep most of your devices safer. You must access the router’s dashboard and change the DNS to a safe one there. Ensure the panel is secured with a password so nobody can change the DNS. This is how it’s done:
- Open the settings for your router.
The preferences are usually set in your browser via URLs like http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1. Alternatively, settings may be changed with the help of an application on your PC that came with the router.
Tip: This step may require a login and a password. If you don’t know them, check the underside of your router for this data, or try entering “admin” for both login and password.
If you changed your login and password at some point and can’t remember them now – reset your router to defaults by pressing the “Reset” button.
- Choose the DNS server settings.
Look for the letters “DNS” and a field with two or three sets of numbers, each broken into four groups of one to three digits.
- Enter the OpenDNS server addresses as your DNS server settings and press “Apply.”
Before you do this, make sure to write down your current settings. Put in the following:
- 208.67.222.222
- 208.67.220.220
- Flush your DNS cache.
- Check if the Settings are saved.\
We hope this fully answers your question ‘how to block adults websites on my router.’
Android: Restrict Porn Access by Changing DNS
Changing your DNS settings on Android is very easy. Follow these simple steps to block porn sites on Android:
1. Tap Settings on the Android Menu home screen.
2. Tap Wi-Fi on the menu.
3. Long press the Network that you are connected to.
4. Tap Modify Network.
5. Select “Advanced.“
6. Adjust IP settings from DHCP to Static.
7. Add DNS resolvers from one of the Clean DNS Providers above.
8. Save your settings.
For more information on changing your Android DNS, visit the OpenDNS website.
PC (Windows 7, 10): Remove Access to Adult Content on the Computer by Changing DNS
Changing your DNS to a family-friendly one is quite easy. Follow these steps:
1. Right-click the Start button or hit the Windows key.
2. Select “Network Connections.”
3. Click on Ethernet, then Change adapter options.
4. Right-click on your network connection and select Properties.
5. Click ‘Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)‘.
6. Click Properties and add the Safe DNS servers mentioned earlier in this article.
7. Click “OK” and close everything.
8. Flush your DNS.
To ensure the new settings take effect immediately, flush both the browser cache and your web browser’s cache.
The OpenDNS website has a complete guide on how to block porn on PC (Windows 10/7) by setting up a family-friendly DNS.
iOS: Block Adult Websites on the iPhone and iPad by Changing DNS
Changing DNS settings for an iOS 11 device and later is quite easy.
This guide will teach you how to block pornsites on iPhone and iPad without installing iPhone parental controls:
1. Tap Settings from the home screen.
2. Tap ‘Wi-Fi’ and make sure it is enabled.
3. Click the i-symbol.
4. Tap the Configure DNS field.
5. Select Manual.
6. Delete the current DNS servers.
7. Replace the DNS servers with the servers listed above.
For more information on changing DNS for iOS, visit the OpenDNS website.
macOS: Change DNS on Mac to Block Porn Sites
If you want to learn how to block pornographic sites on a Mac, DNS is an easy solution. For OS X Yosemite, El Capitan, or later, use these instructions:
1. Click on “System Preferences.”
2. Click on “Network.”
3. Select your connection.
4. Click Advanced.
5. Select the DNS tab and add DNS servers from the list above.
6. Click OK.
7. Flush cache to make sure your changes take place immediately.
Now you know how to block access to porn sites on Mac with Yosemite, El Capitan, or later macOS versions. we suggest visiting the OpenDNS website if you want to change DNS on older macOS versions.
How Effective Is Changing Your DNS for Blocking Porn?
Changing your DNS server is highly effective for blocking most types of porn. Most porn sites, especially large ones, are listed in these servers’ databases. Smaller, more obscure porn sites may slip through the cracks in their net, though the chance is little your child will be actively seeking out dubious sites. On the other hand, there are different types of pornographic websites or sexual content that DNS does not block.
Pornhub: If you’re trying to block Pornhub using DNS settings on your computer, it will, most likely, take no effect. If you’re using Safari or an iPhone — the chances are looking better. But still:
- Typing “pornhub” into the address bar immediately gets the “server cannot be found” message. But when you hit the back button, then go forward again, it opens like nothing even happened.
- The Pornhub video previews on Yandex cannot be blocked as well. Parents should add Yandex to the “Never Allow” list if your target person has an iPhone.
- Almost none of the browsers (even with Clean Browsing activated) blocks Pornhub and inappropriate content, running in incognito mode.
Instagram & Snapchat: Communication and social media apps such as Instagram and Snapchat contain large amounts of sexual and even pornographic content. Many pornographic actors and actresses maintain Instagram accounts full of sexual photos. Most also have Snapchat accounts to share photos and videos with their fans.
Remember that Snapchat does not filter out pornographic content. These chat apps form an even more significant risk than porn sites since they can also be used for sexting. Cyberbullies, trolls, and online predators also frequent them.
For now, DNS settings offer no definitive solution to block Pornhub on all devices or to filter out inappropriate content on Instagram and Snapchat.
Luckily, Snapchat parental controls do.
Install Parental Control Apps to Block All Pornography from Any Device
If you want to monitor your child’s online behavior, we suggest downloading a Parental control app. Parental control apps have the added benefit that they allow you to know and choose what type of content your child is viewing. They can monitor chat apps and give you a list of sites your child is visiting. They also feature geolocation, meaning you will know where your child is at any given moment. To use this app, you must buy the software from the provider’s website and install it on the device you wish to monitor.
mSpy
mSpy is a parental control software with more than 20 features. It will allow you to monitor and even control a target device without the phone’s user ever knowing.
It can block porn or any other website category and restrict internet access. The software allows you to block access to websites containing inappropriate content: 18+ materials, racism, drug usage, violence, etc.
Be sure your children are not on the wrong side of the internet and visit questionable websites. mSpy is available for Android and iPhone and is the only parental control app for non-jailbroken iPhones.
mSpy can:
- Filter adult websites and inappropriate applications
- Notify parents when explicit words are used on a child’s phone
- Capture every stroke on the device via Keylogger
- Track location and set up geofencing
- Manage phone’s settings remotely
- Read all messaging apps
- Restrict calls & contacts
- Monitor internet history
Bark
Bark is a superb parental control app for that works with Android, iOS and Amazon devices. Undoubtedly, its best feature is the simple yet comprehensive dashboard that allows you to monitor your kid’s text messages, YouTube, emails and up to 30+ different social networks.
The app also has features to prevent your children from visiting undesirable and inappropriate websites. If you need some convincing, go to the website and start your free trial now. Bark can:
- Filter which websites your kids visit.
- Send alerts for instances of suicidal ideation, cyberbullying and sexual predation
- Track up to 30+ social media networks
- Monitor the phone’s location
- Manage screen time
- Offer insight into your child’s online activities with recommendations from expert child psychologists.
Conclusion
Keeping your kids safe is the ultimate goal of any parent. Google Safe Mode is a handy feature, though it only blocks porn from search results. Changing your DNS is a convenient and free way to block porn sites from most devices. However, it is not 100% effective. If you want full security, ensuring your children do not receive porn or sexual content through Snapchat, Instagram, or anywhere else, we suggest one of the parental control apps above.
Even if DNS changes are made in the router, DNS can still be changed locally on the device, overriding the router DNS, therefore making this a poor parental control tool.
is there a way to block vpn chrome extensions like hoxx? this seems to slip right by…
How can i block porn sites on incognito mode and also through vpn
Does anyone know how to block pornhub without installing software?
I’ve changed DNS settings on my iPhone X as it says here, blocks Pornhub every time.
So there’s no way how to block porn on Instagram except for the parental control apps?
There are also some settings in the Instagram app that can help. You can block or restrict certain users, filter offensive comments, or turn them off completely, report abusive or pornographic content.
I plugged those DNS numbers into my Netgear R6020 router as instructed and it had zero effect against blocking any porn.
This is what we’ve found online:
Maybe this helps? How do I set up Live Parental Controls on my NETGEAR router using the genie desktop app?